By country
Layoffs in South Africa
14 sourced layoff rounds at 12 companies in South Africa between Jan 2023 and Jul 2026: 16,483 people in the rounds where a number was given. Each one links to the article or filing it came from. The list covers what we have been able to source, not every cut in the country.
People affected
16K
Where a number was given
Companies
12
With a sourced round
Rounds
14
Jan 2023 → Jul 2026
Every round, newest first
- Lunonumber not given(20% of workforce)
Crypto exchange cut a fifth of global staff and reorganised into three units after narrowing its geographic footprint.
About the figure: Luno is headquartered in London and owned by Digital Currency Group, with its largest operations in South Africa.
Crypto · Source: TechCentral
- De Beers (Venetia mine)−4,400
De Beers said it would pause production at Venetia, the largest diamond mine in South Africa, for two years to reduce costs.
About the figure: Jobs at risk, not confirmed cuts; 4,400 is the total staff at the mine (AFP report).
Materials & Chemicals · Source: The South African
BAT said it would close its Heidelberg cigarette factory, its only South African plant, blaming the illicit tobacco trade.
About the figure: Jobs at risk from a plant closure.
Consumer Goods & Food · Source: The South African
Bottler served section 189 notices in a restructuring it tied to financial pressure and industry changes.
About the figure: Consultations were ongoing and the company said no final decision had been made.
Consumer Goods & Food · Source: The South African
Ford planned cuts at its Silverton assembly plant and Struandale engine plant, citing weaker export orders for the Ranger.
About the figure: Figure from the Solidarity union and confirmed in substance by Ford; later reports cite 474 workers.
Automotive · Source: TechCentral
Goodyear announced the closure of its 78 year old tyre factory in Kariega, Eastern Cape.
About the figure: Nearly 900; factory closure subject to consultation.
Automotive · Source: The South African
Vodacom served section 189 notices on about 400 employees in a restructuring of its South African business.
About the figure: Expected outcome of a consultation process.
Telecom · Source: TechCentral
Steelmaker said it would wind down its long steel business at Newcastle and Vereeniging, putting direct and contractor jobs at risk.
About the figure: Jobs at risk, not confirmed cuts; the closure was deferred more than once while the government sought a rescue.
Materials & Chemicals · Source: The South African
Jumia closed its South African fashion site Zando and its Tunisian business to focus on markets with better growth prospects.
About the figure: About 110 jobs across South Africa and Tunisia; some staff could be relocated within the group.
E-commerce · Source: The South African
South African mobile operator planned job cuts across all levels to reduce costs.
About the figure: TechCabal report citing Bloomberg.
Telecom · Source: TechCabal
State owned postal service in business rescue planned to retrench more than half of its staff and close branches.
About the figure: Plan announced under business rescue; in May 2024 the same outlet reported close to 5000 workers would be retrenched.
Public Sector & Nonprofit · Source: The South African
- Telkomnumber not given(15% of workforce)
South African fixed line and mobile operator opened a retrenchment process to contain costs, with up to 15 percent of its roughly 11,500 staff at risk.
About the figure: Upper limit of a consultation process, about 1,725 people according to the article; not a confirmed final number.
Telecom · Source: TechCentral
- Lunonumber not given(35% of workforce)
Crypto exchange owned by Digital Currency Group cut over a third of staff, citing weak growth and revenue after the crypto market slump.
About the figure: Luno is headquartered in London with its largest operations in South Africa.
Crypto · Source: TechCabal
- Naspers / Prosusnumber not given(30% of workforce)
The South African tech investor and its Amsterdam listed unit planned corporate staff cuts across about 15 locations over a year.
About the figure: The 30 percent applies to corporate staff only, not to portfolio companies.
Consumer Tech · Source: TechCentral
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